It was speculated on social media that the sachet had drugs inside before Ashcroft hit back on a video that has since been deleted.

Ashcroft, who has recently released a fifth solo album, has now opened up on the incident which he refers to as "fake news".

"I don't know how many national publications printed a picture that someone had sent in from online," the 47-year-old told LADBible.

Richard Ashcroft on SoccerAM (Image: SKY)

The sachet in Ashcroft's sock (Image: Twitter)

"It's strange when you have been in the game this long that this idea would take place.

"But to see the effects of a doctored photograph by an individual, who we don't know who it is.

"But believe you me, you are going to regret doing that, whoever you are."

Richard Ashcroft on SoccerAM (Image: Sky)

In the video after the incident, Ashcroft insisted he had not taken cocaine "in decades" amid the suggestions of drug use.

Just a quick message to a couple of you trolls on Twitter who are making a name for yourselves out of me - and also people moralising and virtue signalling," he said in the video he uploaded.

"Number one: Cocaine and I have had no relationship for decades. Number two: Don't you ever surmise what has fallen out of my pocket. And, don't bring my children into it.

"You're on thin ice. Don't libel my name. My dad didn't like litter and I don't really like litter. But it gets a bit preposterous in my pocket. In The Verve I was known as Colombo, so get your facts right. You're on thin ice. Peace."